Scaveola plant named ‘SSCWH03-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Scaveola  cultivar named ‘SSCWH03-0’ is disclosed, characterized by a very compact plant that remains compact in warm weather as well as remaining compact as it ages. Flower color is white, and flowering occurs densely throughout the plant. The new variety is a  Scaveola , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Scaveola aemula.

Variety denomination: ‘SSCWH03-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Scaveola cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Steve Jones, in a commercial greenhouse inOxnard, Calif. The objective of the breeding program was to produce newScaveola varieties that remain compact in warm weather.

The new variety originated as a seedling from the open pollination ofvarious, Scaveola aemula, varieties. Most varieties were unnamed andunpatented however, one of the varieties used was Scaveola aemula ‘BlueWonder’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,929. The actual seed parent is unknown asseed was bulk harvested from the collection of Scaveola plants. The openpollination resulting in the bulk collected seed was organized by theinventor in a commercial greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. in 2008. The newvariety was selected in September of 2009.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SSCWH03-0’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed during October of 2009, at a researchgreenhouse in a commercial greenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. Subsequentpropagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SSCWH03-0’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SSCWH03-0’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SSCWH03-0’ as a new and distinct Scaveolacultivar:

-   -   1. Dense, compact plant form.    -   2. Plants remain compact with age.    -   3. Plants remain compact in warm weather.    -   4. White flower petals.    -   5. Dense flowering throughout the plant, including in the        center.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SSCWH03-0’ cannot be compared to either seedor pollen parent, as the exact parents are unknown. As compared to thegeneral population of plants in the parent grouping of plants,‘SSCWH03-0’ produces significantly more compact plant habits.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar are best compared to the commercial varietyScaveola aemula ‘Bomy Whit’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,790. Plants of thenew variety produce smaller and lighter colored foliage. Additionally,plants of the new variety are significantly more compact, and remainmore compact in high temperatures, than ‘Bomy Whit’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SSCWH03-0’ grown in a greenhouse, in Oxnard, Calif.,in a commercial 1 gallon container. Age of the plant photographed isapproximately 10 weeks from an unrooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical inflorescence of ‘SSCWH03-0’.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SSCWH03-0’ plants grown in a greenhouse inOxnard, Calif. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 28° C. Thegreenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Scaveola aemula cultivar ‘SSCWH03-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 5-8 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Fine, densely fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Compact, creeping, outwardly spreading annual.-   Pot size of plant described: 1 gallon pot.-   Height: Approximately 6 cm to top of foliage. Approximately 11 cm to    top of flowering plane. Measured from soil level of pot.-   Plant spread: Approximately 35 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Moderately well branched. Approximately 8    to 12 primary branches per plant.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 15 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.35 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 30 to 40.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143B.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.-   Internode length: Average 4.2 cm.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 10 weeks from 3 rooted    cuttings.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 6 fully expanded per main branch.        -   Average length.—Approximately 3.1 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 1.8 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Broadly acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire, with 5 dentations, including apex.        -   Texture of top surface.—Scabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Softly pubescent.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 137C.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Green 143C. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 143C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowering from early Spring through late    Summer.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Flowers single occurring from leaf    axils. Clustered at terminus.-   Flower longevity on plant: Individual flowers last approximately 1    week on the plant.-   Quantity of flowers: Average 5 buds and 5 fully opened flowers per    stem. Mature plants have approximately 100 open flowers at one time.-   Individual flowers:-   Size:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm.        -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 cm.        -   Persistence.—Non-persistent.        -   Fragrance.—Faint.-   Corolla:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—5 petals, fused from base, to            approximately 50% of length, forming a half tube. Separated            portion radiating into a semi-circle/fan shape.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Retuse.        -   Shape.—Unfused potion, oblanceolate.        -   Length.—Unfused portion: 1.6 cm. Half Tube: 1.4 cm.        -   Width.—Unfused portion: 0.7 cm. Half Tube: 0.4 cm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous all surfaces.-   Color: Separate Petals.    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS White 155 C with faint            center streak Yellow-Green 145A. Lower surface: Near RHS            White 155 C with faint center streak Yellow-Green 145A,            surrounded by faint streaks Green-Yellow 1B.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS White 155 C. Lower            surface: Near RHS White 155 C with faint center streak            Yellow-Green 145A, surrounded by faint streaks Yellow-Green            150C.        -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near RHS White 155 C. Lower surface:            Near RHS White 155 C with faint center streak Yellow-Green            145A, surrounded by faint streaks Yellow-Green 150C.-   Color: Half-tube.    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 150C.            Lower surface: Near RHS Yellow-Green 150C, faint streaks            Yellow-Green 145B.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1B, upper            section blotch near Green 143C. Lower surface: Near RHS            Green-Yellow 1B, upper section blotch near Green 143C.        -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near RHS Yellow 2B, upper section            blotch near Green 143C. Lower surface: Near RHS Green-Yellow            1B, upper section blotch near Green 143C.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Narrow conical.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.-   Calyx:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.6 cm.-   Sepals:    -   -   Quantity.—2 small and 1 larger sepal.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Length.—Average 0.7 cm.        -   Width.—Average 0.4 cm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Apex.—Acute or retuse.        -   Texture.—Softly pubescent. Color: Mature: Near RHS Green            137B, all surfaces.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 0.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.        -   Orientation.—Approximately 45 degree angle from attachment.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Texture.—Softly pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Greyed-Orange 165C.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Orange 166B.        -   Pollen.—Pollen production not observed.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.8 cm. Color: Near            Green-Yellow 1B.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Flattened deltoid, with 2 linear protrusions            at widest point on each edge. Texture: Papillose. Color:            Near RHS White 155C. Ovary color: Near RHS Green 143C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    pathogens and pests common to Scaveola have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures    between 5 to 40° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Scaveola plantnamed ‘SSCWH03-0’ as herein illustrated and described.